Playbill’s Seth Rudetsky will host the October 22 benefit for the NY Humane Society.

James L. Nederlander
Photo by Ben Hider/Getty Images for The Buoniconti Fund

James L. Nederlander, president of the Broadway theatre-owning and producing company the Nederlander Organization, has been named recipient of the 2017 Sandy Fund Award from the Humane Society of New York in recognition of “his deep concern and support of the needs of rescued animals.”

Nederlander will accept the award in an October 22 ceremony and performance titled Best in Shows at Feinstein’s/54 Below cabaret in New York City. Playbill columnist Seth Rudetsky is scheduled to host and serve as musical director of the event, with performances by Broadway guest stars to be announced. The fourth annual Best in Show is designed as a benefit for the Humane Society. Broadway animal trainers and rescuers Dorothy and Bill Berloni will present the award to Nederlander.

Nederlander has a special connection to The Sandy Fund, which is named in honor of the original canine star of the Broadway musical Annie. It was his late father, James M. Nederlander, who produced the long-running musical, and so gave Sandy his very first acting job. The pup quickly became a Broadway star, playing 2,363 performances of Annie on Broadway.

Best in Shows will begin at 7 PM. There will be a post-performance reception with cast members for premium ticket buyers.

Tickets, which will go on sale September 5 at Humanesocietyny.org, include an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. Feinstein’s/54 Below is located at 254 West 54th Street in Manhattan.